The name Argentina

It comes from the Latin term “argentum”, which means silver.

Location

Located in South America, and thus, in the southern hemisphere, Argentina has an area of almost 3.8 million square kilometers making it the 8th largest country in the world. It is 3,800 Km. long.



Language

Spanish is the official language of the Argentine Republic. In Buenos Aires, some “lunfardo” expressions -city slang - are used. Also many people know Portuguese, Italian, French or German.

Climate

The country’s territory offers a wide variety of climates: subtropical in the North, sub-Antarctic in the southern Patagonia, and mild and humid in the Pampas plains. Media temperature from November to March is 23° C, and 12° C from June to September.

Population

Argentina’s current population is more than 36 million inhabitants, almost half of which live in the city and the province of Buenos Aires. Population density calculated on a national basis is 13 inhabitants per square kilometer.
95% of the population is white and most are descendants of Italians and Spaniards. As a result of the massive European immigration, the white and Indian half-castes were slowly reduced and at the present they amount only to 4.5% of the population. The pure indigenous population - Mapuches, Collas, Tobas, Matacos and Chiriguanos - amount to 0.5% of the population.

Food

The food is one of the best in the world. Exquisite meat, pasta, pizza and empanadas. There is practically a whole culture about eating in Argentina. Many expatriates miss the food the most :-) and longs to eat a good asado (barbaque)

Religion

There is complete religious freedom in Argentina, although the official religion is Roman Catholic. Other religions practiced in the country are Protestant, Jewish, Moslem, Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox and others.

Currency

The official Argentine currency is the Peso. There are bills of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 pesos, and coins of 1 peso and 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 cents. Currently

1 USD = 3,10 pesos.

1 EUR = 4, 11 pesos.

Because of the current exchange rate, it is one of the cheapest countries for foreigners to visit (with dollars, euros, reales, Uk pounds, yens, etc)

Some prices:

A meal in a really good, fancy and expensive restaurant (1 person)- 18 usd

A can of Coke = 0,5 USD

Subway fare = 0,20 USD

Bus fare = 0, 40 USD

A 1 liter beer = 0,80 USD

A meal in McDonald's = 3,40 USD

Two historic dates

May 25, 1810. The first "Gobierno Patrio" or National Government Assembly was constituted.
July 9, 1816. Proclamation of Independence by the “Provincias Unidas del Río de la Plata”.

For more real life info please contact the country administrator :-)

Info created by bichofoo on Jun 12, 2007 @ 17:58